It 'pays' to be a Fallbrook artist

So many Fallbrook artists have won something recently (cash,
acclaim, certificates, medals -- you name it) that simply their
names might fill a column. Of course, all of them deserve
recognition from the fellow denizens of Fallbrook. So, here
goes:

Jack Ragland, who placed third (of 3,500 entrants) in the
national "Next Great American Artist Contest," has been notified by
Galaxy of Graphics Publishers that they have decided to publish the
work of all three winners.

Winners of the top three awards in the Art of the Avocado
contest, whose work is now on display at the Lace Apron (along with
the work of the other 29 entrants), are Jim Bates, Carol Zaleski
and Penny Fedorchak. The three have received $300, $200 and $100,
respectively, from George and Gayle Bamber of Holy Guacamoly, who
originated the contest.

Marlene Sheridan's watercolor titled "Three Hills" has been
selected by judge John Salminen into the Western Federation of
Watercolor Societies' 32nd annual exhibition, "Summer of
Watercolor." The 148-painting show, which will be on display from
June 1 through Nov. 11, is hosted by the Colorado Society of Denver
and the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities in Arvada,
Colo.

A number of Brandon Gallery members won recognition (ranging all
the way from Best of Show to Honorable Mention) for their entries
in the Fallbrook Art Association's current show, on display at the
Art Center until 3 p.m. April 29.

Among them are Special Awards winner Robin Erickson, Dorothy
Stillen Plein Air Award winner Penny Fedorchak and the Ellen Rowe
Award winner Patricia Hartman. Karen Langer Baker won both a first
and a third; Carol Zaleski won a first; Louis Nidorf, a second and
an honorable mention; Kelly Berning won a second; Beth Taft and
Nicole Toesca won third place awards; and Trent Berning, an
honorable mention. All of the Brandon Gallery award winners are
also Art Association members, a qualification for submission to the
show.

And, finally, Natasha Ragland has recently received $1,000 --
not exactly an award, nor precisely a paid commission, but
certainly one of the fruits of her career as an artist. When
Ragland tried to refuse the sum, which was being offered for the
return of a dog she had found, she offered to paint the pet's
portrait. In the end, she painted a group view of four kennel
mates: Casper, Spirit, Zeus and Mongoose.